Facing the Flag · Chapter
X: Ker Karraje explained
Simon Hart learns the true identity of Count d'Artigas as the notorious pirate Ker Karraje and discovers the secret of Back Cup island, the pirates' hidden lair.
What happens
Simon Hart learns the true identity of Count d'Artigas as the notorious pirate Ker Karraje and discovers the secret of Back Cup island, the pirates' hidden lair. He also learns how Ker Karraje and Engineer Serko faked the destruction of their submarine tug to continue their piracy undetected, and realizes the grave danger if they obtain Thomas Roch's fulgurator.
Themes in this chapter
Piracy and Criminality
Ker Karraje's true identity as a pirate is revealed, along with his methods of attacking ships and plundering cargo.
Deception and Identity
Count d'Artigas is unmasked as Ker Karraje, and the faked submarine accident is exposed as a ruse to continue piracy undetected.
Technology and Destruction
The submarine tug is described as a powerful offensive weapon, and the potential of Thomas Roch's fulgurator to increase destruction is highlighted.
Characters to notice
- Simon Hart
Narrator who learns Ker Karraje's true identity and confronts him, demanding his freedom.
- Ker Karraje
Revealed as the true identity of Count d'Artigas; pirate chief who coolly confirms his name and refuses to release Simon Hart.
- Engineer Serko
Reveals details of the submarine tug's construction and the faked accident; proud of his work and confident the prisoner will never escape.
- Captain Spade
Accompanies Ker Karraje when he confronts Simon Hart.
- Gibson
Driver who discovered the tunnel at Back Cup island with Engineer Serko; also the mechanical engineer who operated the submarine tug.
- Thomas Roch
Mentioned as the inventor of the fulgurator, which Ker Karraje seeks to obtain.
Key passages
“The Count d'Artigas is Ker Karraje, just as Warder Gaydon is Engineer Simon Hart; and Ker Karraje will never restore to liberty Engineer Simon Hart, who knows his secrets.”
Ker Karraje confirms his true identity and tells Simon Hart that he will never be freed because he now knows too much.
This is the climactic moment of revelation and confrontation in the chapter.
“During the night the tug would rush at a merchant vessel, and bore a hole in her with its powerful ram. At the same time the schooner which could not possibly have excited any suspicion, would run alongside and her horde of cutthroats would pour on to the doomed vessel’s deck and massacre the helpless crew.”
The pirates used the submarine to ram ships at night, then the Ebba would board and kill the crew to steal the cargo.
Describes the pirates' standard method of attack.